We see significant signs that this enviable position is being eroded by the unrestrained growth of Cruise Ship Tourism, an industry that has historically shown little respect for environmental and cultural conservation. In view of these developments and the overwhelming differential in resources and experience between cruise lines and our own authorities, there is an urgent need to determine the long-term future and sustainability of our tourism industry.

    If we choose to proceed without an informed and clear vision, we may well witness the disintegration of an established market segment that has been revered by many in the region and one that has touched almost every household in the country. To these ends, we would like to bring to the forefront a series of concerns that we feel need to be urgently addressed.

Monitoring

This is a critical component to the implementation of the Cruise Ship Policy. There is absolutely no way that this can be effective with the resources available at present. The Department of the Environment has 10 employees and is responsible for environmental issues throughout Belize. The Fisheries Department has 60 employees, (10 administration, 40 at Marine Reserves, 10 on patrol). In the last four years, environmental fines exceeding US$40 million were imposed on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian Cruise lines by other nations. It is, therefore, obvious that regular monitoring and inspections are essential if our intention is to limit environmental degradation and pollution along our coastline.

Carrying Capacities

The crucial component of sound management and good stewardship must be urgently addressed. Realistic carrying capacities for dive and snorkeling destinations, rivers, caves, and Mayan sites, must be established and enforced with consideration of the environmental sensitivity of each location and the impact on the other tourism sectors utilizing the same resources factored into the equation.

Coastal Zone Management Authority in their final report on Goff's Caye Conservation 2002 to 2004, clearly stated that the Caye was under great pressure due to lack of effective management of tourists while on the island. The Caye, which is only 1.2 acres, regularly has in excess of 200 people on the island and on a particular day, observations showed there were 14 incidences of "reef walking" and on another, seven boats were reported "anchored" on coral heads.

Taxation

1. The Head Tax needs to be increased to fall in line with other taxation levels, which are presently heavily loaded and borne by the overnight visitors. The environmental pressures created by cruise visitors vastly override those of the long-stay traveler, but cruise passengers pay a pittance in taxation by comparison.

2. By raising the Head Tax, two things will happen. Firstly and most importantly, the government and appropriate departments would have budgets to support proper monitoring of the Cruise Ship Policy thus making it a meaningful piece of legislation, which would then protect our natural resources. Secondly, it might help to elevate the level of cruise passenger arriving on our shores, those who have better spending power, and therefore impacting the local economy more positively.

Environmental Degradation

1. Our Cayes and reefs, dive and snorkel locations are currently deteriorating at an alarming rate.

2. Ancient Mayan Ruins are under pressure from the thousands of cruise passengers trampling over the sites en masse.

3. Riverside erosion is increasing rapidly, due to high-speed launches taking cruise passengers to Lamanai and Burrell Boom.

4. Road systems come under extra stress from the volume of buses used for mass transportation.

5. Buses are left running for hours to keep the air conditioning working, causing pollution in tourism and urban areas.

6. Solid Waste derived from both passengers and barged from some of the ships, increases the burden on our Sanitary Landfills already stretched to their limits.

Impact on Long-Term Visitors

1. Visitors often times, end up changing their itineraries to avoid the massive numbers of cruise passengers both at the Marine parks and at Mayan sites. The successful branding of Belize as "Mother Nature's Best Kept Secret" is becoming tarnished.

2. Concerned citizens from San Pedro and Caye Caulker complain about the extra pressure on the islands' infrastructures when cruise visitors arrive.

3. Unwary visitors go to Rendezvous Caye having been told it was a tiny uninhabited island on the barrier reef only to find, on their arrival, a crowd of 80 cruise people and a bar set up in the middle of the island.

4. Some lodges have had to cancel their most profitable and popular cave trips through the Caves Branch/Jaguar Paw systems due to the throngs of cruise passengers now floating the same waters, on some occasions, up to 700 people in one day.

Cultural Impact

1. Tourism should always contribute to cultural exchange between visitors and Belizeans. The eco-traveler, who has conscientiously made the decision to visit Belize, based on what he or she has read about the people and the diversity and environmental prowess of the country, is rewarded with a warmth and knowledge, far exceeding their expectations. They take away memories that will be shared with friends and colleagues alike.

2. With mass tourism, there is the danger that these experiences might well be reversed. Expectations by vendors lining the streets with hopes of big sales are often disappointed. Passengers are hustled and their reactions may seem to be hostile. The interaction, instead of being one of pleasure, becomes one of distaste and tainted memories, not one that would support a wanting to return or "let's tell our friends about it."

Financial

1. Overnight tourism accounts for well over BZ$270 million. Most visitors pay with US dollar credit cards that pass through the official banking system and also use Traveler's Checks and cash in-country.

2. Cruise tourism accounts for a mere BZ$40 million, all paid in US dollars but how much actually stays in country is highly questionable.

3. Overnight visitors, on average, spend between US$150 to US$200 per person per day. It is said cruise passengers, on average, spend US$45 per person per day.

4. Despite the fact that the world's cruise lines make over 70% of their profits in the Caribbean, they purchase virtually nothing from the region. The same applies to Belize. There is no reason why, as part of government's cruise ship policy, there cannot be a requirement that the ships purchase products like citrus, shrimp, sugar, fruits, and other specialty items.

Proposed Future Ports

1. Apart from a much heralded venture by Carnival of a US$50 million two mega ship port next to the Port of Belize, there is much talk about expansion of cruise terminals for Dangriga and Punta Gorda and the expectations that cruise tourism will solve the economic problems of these respective areas. These options should be carefully weighed and not entertained while both infrastructure and monitoring capabilities remain inadequate. Industry leaders should carefully analyze the so- called benefits to the local communities before considering any expansion in this tourism sector. It should be remembered that the cruise lines can change course on a whim leaving behind a trail of economic disaster and very little else. The overnight, long-stay traveler is here to stay, provided that the very essence of what draws them to this country is not put at risk.

    Please send your E-mail in support of BETA's position paper on cruise ship tourism to: Ms. Tracy Taegar, Director of Tourism, Belize Tourism Board, Central Bank, Gabourel Lane, Belize City, Belize; Fax 223-1943 or E-mail tracy@travelbelize.org.